Thinking the Game – Defensively
The Truth About “Shoulder Checking” — And Why Most Kids Do It Wrong
The truth about shoulder checking in hockey is that most young players think they’re doing it right simply because they make contact, but real shoulder‑to‑body checking is a technical skill built on timing, posture, and controlled force. A proper shoulder check isn’t about throwing your weight around or trying to “blow someone up.” It’s about using your shoulder and upper body to legally bump a puck‑carrying opponent and separate him from the puck without losing your own balance or taking yourself out of the play.
Read MoreHow to Teach Young Defensemen to Close Gaps Without Getting Beat Wide
Closing the gap is one of the most important defensive skills in hockey, but it’s also one of the hardest for young defensemen to get right. Every player has heard a coach yell “Close the gap!” from the bench, yet very few kids actually understand what that means in real time. They either charge forward too aggressively and get burned wide, or they back off too much and give the puck carrier all the space in the world. The real art of gap control is learning how to shrink the distance between you and the attacker without giving up your inside positioning, your skating base, or your ability to react…
Read MoreBuilding Better On-Ice Communication Habits for Youth Teams
One of the most important but often overlooked skills in youth hockey is communication. Many players spend hours working on skating, shooting, and puck control, but very little time is spent learning how to talk to teammates on the ice. The truth is, strong on-ice communication can make an average team much more effective, while poor communication can cause even skilled players to struggle.
Read MoreTeaching Smarter Line Changes to Prevent Odd-Man Rushes
Many players think line changes are just a routine part of hockey, something you do when you get tired, but the truth is that poor line changes are one of the biggest causes of odd-man rushes.
Read MoreHow to Train Players to Protect the Middle of the Ice in All Three Zones
One of the most important defensive habits in hockey is learning how to protect the middle of the ice, and I harped on that often as a higher level coach. Of course, coaches at every level talk about it, but young players often don’t fully understand what it means or why it matters so much. The middle of the ice is the most dangerous scoring area on the rink. It runs from the center lane in the neutral zone all the way to the slot and the front of the net in the defensive zone.
Read MoreTeaching Forwards How to Become Reliable in the Defensive Zone
While scoring is certainly important, strong teams know that the best forwards are also reliable in the defensive zone. A forward who understands defensive responsibility becomes far more valuable to a coach, a teammate, and the overall success of the team. Teaching forwards how to become dependable in their own end is one of the most important parts of youth hockey development, and it is a skill that builds smarter, more complete players.
Read MoreThe Most Misunderstood Skill in Youth Hockey: Angling
Many young players think angling means skating hard at an opponent and trying to deliver a big hit. Others believe it is simply about chasing the puck carrier as fast as possible. In reality, proper angling in hockey is about control, positioning, patience, and smart decision-making.
Read MoreThe Hidden Skill Behind Winning Puck Races
Winning puck races is one of the most underrated skills in hockey, yet it often determines who controls the game. Coaches talk about speed all the time, and players assume that the fastest skater always wins the race to the puck. The truth is very different. The hidden skill behind winning puck races is not just straight-line speed. It is anticipation, smart angles, explosive first strides, and the ability to read the play before it fully develops.
Read MoreA Smarter Way to Teach Net‑Front Play (Without Chaos)
When the puck goes low and shots start coming from the point, things can quickly turn into chaos around the crease. Sticks are swinging, bodies are pushing, and players often forget their assignments. For young hockey players, especially at the youth and high school level, net-front battles often look like survival mode instead of structured defensive hockey.
Read MoreWhy I Need to Hear From You — Often
This site has always been about teaching the game — and teaching it in a way that actually helps you, your players, or your son or daughter. And here’s the truth I want to put front and center today:
I can only do that if I hear from you. Not once in a while. Not once a season. Regularly.
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